The rosters for the All-Star game will be announced July 6, and while it seems a virtual certainty Indians outfielder Michael Brantley will be selected, the Indians could have a second representative.
Tribe pitcher Corey Kluber should get strong consideration for a spot on the American League staff. In 18 starts Kluber is 7-6 with a 2.99 ERA, and in 117 1/3 innings he has nearly 100 more strikeouts (127) than walks (29).
At the start of play July 4, Kluber, among all American League pitchers, ranked fifth in strikeouts per nine innings (9.7), sixth in innings pitched, sixth in strikeouts and 10th in ERA.
In May, Kluber was probably the best pitcher in the league. In six starts that month, he was 4-0 with a 2.09 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .217 batting average. In 43 innings in May, Kluber had 60 strikeouts and just seven unintentional walks.
Kluber’s outstanding first half is beginning to draw notice from the national media. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com recently made his selections for the All-Star rosters, and he included Kluber on the AL staff.
Asked if he thought Kluber deserved a spot on the AL All-Star team, Indians manager Terry Francona said, “I don’t know. It don’t want to single out one guy. I will say that John Farrell (American League manager) reached out to me, and I gave him my opinion on Kluber.”
Kluber’s outstanding first half seems to be a continuation from his 2013 season. In 34 starts since June 11 of last year, Kluber is 15-7 with a 3.89 ERA.
“Last year he was on a roll until he hurt his finger,” Francona said. “But this year he’s taken it to a new level. He’s been very consistent, and he’s been doing it for a long period of time — that’s when people start to notice you.”
Man of steal
In addition to all his other All-Star worthy statistics, Brantley is 10-for-10 in stolen-base attempts this season. Brantley is tied with Oakland’s Craig Gentry (15-for-15) and Mike Trout (10-for-10) for the league lead in stolen-base percentage.
“The percentage is more important than the amount of steals,” Francona said. “Michael steals bases at big times during games, and he’s always safe. He’s a very intelligent base stealer.”
Brantley’s stolen-base percentage has risen dramatically in the last three years. In 2012 it was 57 percent (12-for-21), in 2013 it was 81 percent (17-for-21) and this year he’s at 100 percent (10-for-10).
Notes
Artifacts from Lonnie Chisenhall’s historic performance at Texas on June 9, when he was 5-for-5 with three home runs and a club record nine RBI, will be on display July 5 in Heritage Park. Chisenhall’s jersey, spikes, the bat he used in all five at-bats, and the third home run ball will be on display from 4:30 p.m. through the bottom of the third inning. ... Entering the game July 4, Indians starting pitchers had a 2.27 ERA over the last seven games. ... Also entering the game, the Indians’ all-time record on the Fourth of July was 88-74 (.543). ... July 5 at 7:05 p.m., T.J. House (0-2, 4.54) will face Jeremy Guthrie (5-6, 3.69).